This Friday October 31st Forever DJ Events will be hosting "FRIGHT NIGHT" with DJ SWERVO, a Halloween Event at Downtown Brewery at 1108 Pine St. Paso Robles, Ca. This will be a costume event. Starts at 9:30pm and goes til 1:45am. This is a 21 & older event. Entry is FREE. We can't wait to see all the costumes!!

This weekend I did a fundraiser / benefit for a cancer survivor at Santa Margarita Ranch, pro bono, in exchange for the opportunity to meet some new people and introduce my business. I pulled out the stops! I brought my DJ system, uplights and the photo booth! The coordinators were impressed and grateful.

Once everything was set up, I needed to finds a place for my marketing materials that would be visible, yet not distracting away from the cause. So I made a simple table layout with a black tablecloth and a banner backdrop. I even put an up light behind it to give it a unique glow. It was PERFECT! Not too distracting, yet clean, simple and highly attractive. So, my advice to anyone wanting to promote their business at these type of events, just follow these steps:

1) Keep the "cause" in mind when choosing a location for marketing materials.

2) Bring your own table (4ft. or smaller) with simple black cloth.

3) Make sure all marketing materials are laid out clean and symmetrical. Be sure to check on them periodically to restock or to straighten up.

4) If you have a banner, keep it 6ft. long or less. Anything bigger would be too distracting. Also, be sure to bring your own rigging to hang it from. This will insure you don't cause damage to the premises and shows you are a true professional.

Yes, a wedding DJ can truly make or break a wedding reception – which is why this is one of the most important decisions a couple can make when planning their special day. A great Wedding DJ is not only talented, but thoughtful, passionate, a good listener and conscientious as to the needs of the couple getting married, which is what it’s all about.

Here are 8 examples of what your wedding DJ MUST be:

1. A Great DJ Listens

A great wedding DJ will closely listen to your instructions and make sure he understands your vision. A Great DJ knows that this is one of the biggest day of your life, and that you’re trusting them with determining the flow of the day. A Great DJ will take the responsibility very seriously, always putting the needs of the couple first.2. A Great DJ Pronounces The Names RightA Professional DJ & Master of Ceremonies takes their responsibility of your formal announcements very seriously. With this, they make sure every name is pronounced correctly. They practice this and go over it with the couple in the weeks beforehand to make sure it’s perfect.

3. A Great DJ Plays YOUR Requested Music and Can Read Your Crowd Your DJ should know that having your selected music prepared is paramount. Just as important is having a DJ that knows how to read a crowd and play to that crowd. If he or she doesn’t, the event could be a disaster.

4. A Great DJ Plans Ahead With The VenueA great DJ always contacts the venue before the wedding day to secure all setup logistics when the doors open, where to park, where to bring in the equipment, any particular venue rules, etc.5. A Great DJ Never AssumesA great DJ never assumes. For example, the DJ will have exact directions to the venue beforehand. Also, a Great DJ will Arrive at least 2 hours before the contracted start time for set up.6. A Great DJ Test Everything Ahead Of TimeGreat DJs arrive at least a couple of hours before the event begins to unload equipment , set-up and test the sound system, which has been thoroughly tested prior to his arrival. Great DJs adjust sound levels, check microphones, and position speakers to take advantage of the room’s acoustics. Every location has it’s own distinctive acoustics, and a great DJ knows how to maximize this. If outdoors, great DJs adjust the sound according to layout, weather, etc.Also a great DJ always has a backup system ready to go in case of equipment failure.

7. A Great DJ Is A Polished ProfessionalA Great DJ is always well dressed, well groomed, well rested, relaxed and in control. Again, this may seem obvious, but that’s not always the case. This comes with thoughtful preparation.8. A Great DJ will Always Work & Plan Ahead With Others Vendors InvolvedA Great DJ will always synchronize their efforts with those of the venue staff, wedding photographers, videographers and other involved to ensure a seamless flow among everyone during the entire event. A great DJ plans all events, announcements and timing weeks before the day of event. Also, a Great DJ plans for any unexpected delays or on the fly requests by the couple and/or the immediate family.If You Are Looking For A Wedding DJ In San Luis Obispo County Contact ForeverDJEvents At 805-369-3299 Or Visit Our Website at FOREVERDJEVENTS.COM

It’s the classic, old-school photo booth. 1960s high school sweethearts snapped secret photos printed in black and white. BFF’s at the mall can’t resist forking over a little cash to freeze their friendship in time by taking pictures on a simple strip. Those besties grow up and (much to their delight) discover they can rent a photobooth for social events and parties. Each partygoer can gather two by two, or squeeze in as many as four, and make memories. The black curtains and walls of the booth shut out the world and give them a minute to take it old school style. It’s a memory. It’s private. It’s almost perfect...

It’s almost perfect if you only want two to four people in the picture.

But if the crowd gracing an event with its presence wants more than the privacy 2 - 4, more than a curtain drawn for two will be needed. Consider pulling off those curtains and exploring another sort of photobooth. The open-air photo booth.

The open air photo booth offers event guests advantages entirely its own...

1. Everyone can participate

What if there are one or more persons at your event in a wheelchair? An open photo booth accommodates those attendees so they can be part of the fun too. Many photo kiosks, for example, have been brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010 which went into effect in March, 2012. Shouldn’t you voluntarily make sure your photo booth adheres to the same principles, even if it's not required by law?

2. Large group shots

An open air photo booth allows for much more than Julie and Natalie. Amanda, Lisa, and Mrs. Garrett along with Dave, Susan, Nancy, and handyman George can hop right in and make memories with the rest of the plaid clad gang. Standing, sitting, kneeling – whatever or whoever fits in the area can impart their pearly-whites in the picture. Even more, other guests can watch and laugh along because the photo is being taken out in the open for all to see. More fun for everyone.

3. Green Screen Photo Booth

Using an open air photo booth permits the use of the ever-versatile, exceedingly customizable green screen. Goodbye to the Plain Jane background of an enclosed photobooth. Greenscreen event photography lets event guests pick and choose the scene for their photo. Taking a photo with a personally chosen group of people, while incorporating a selected green screen background, engages guests in a way that can't be duplicated by an enclosed photo booth.

So, curtain or no curtain? Open or closed? It really depends on the experience you want with your guests.

Though it’s not uncommon to see acquaintances toasting at a wedding where the tradition still resonates most. Besides making it heartfelt and keeping it (reasonably) clean, guests and hosts should follow the guidelines below.Giving a Wedding ToastRule #1:Be briefIt's best to stay under three minutes. Unless you are the Bride or Groom's Mother or FatherRule #2:RehearseSometimes even spontaneity requires a little forethought. Practice out loud in the mirror a few times.Rule #3:Get The Crowd's AttentionAvoid tapping your glass; simply stand and speak loudly and clearly.Receiving a Wedding ToastRule #4:Don't Drink To YourselfAvoid raising your glass, and remain seated when the toast is offered to you.Wedding Toast Rules for GuestsRule #5:Let the Host Toast FirstChampagne glasses on the table indicate toasts will be made, usually after the main course.Rule #6:Never Refuse to ParticipateIf you're a nondrinker, it is courteous to raise an empty glass, rather than none at all. If you're nervous about public speaking, have a couple of short toasts committed to memory in case you're unexpectedly called upon.Wedding Toast Rules for HostsRule #7:Inform Guests if You Would Like Them to ToastIf you're hosting a wedding and would like for certain guests to give toasts , it's polite to call them a week before the party to let them know and inform them of the 3 minute or less rule.

Being a wedding Dj in San Luis Obispo County has to be one of the most unique and rewarding jobs out there. Every weekend between April and October local DJs get to experience the best of the destination locations of San Luis Obispo County. From historical barns to opulent wineries, as well as beachfront venues SLO County has them all!